South African Panorama - 14 Days / 13 Nights

Few countries in the world can combine scenery, wilderness, history and culture quite as well as South Africa. Having started in Cape Town with tours through the Cape Winelands and out to the iconic Cape of Good Hope, set off along the Indian Ocean coastline, following the famous Garden route. Highlights along the way are Ostrich farms, the Cango Caves, the artistic centre of Knysna, an elephant sanctuary, a walk in the Tsitsikama forest. From the seaside resort of Durban enter the land of the Zulus to take a boat trip on the St. Lucia Estuary, and game drives through the Umfolozi plus drive through some of the country's most dramatic scenery. After touring in the royal Kingdom of Swaziland, have a day filled with excitement in the renowned Kruger National Park.

Departures

Itinerary

Day 1 Cape Town

Arrive Cape town. Meet and greet service at the airport and private transfer to your hotel. Overnight stay at Pepper Club Hotel.Accommodation:Pepper Club Luxury Hotel and Spa

Day 2 Cape Town

After breakfast, balance of the morning at leisure. Afternoon collection from the hotel for a scheduled afternoon City Tour – a geographical and cultural extravaganza showing you Cape Town from its historical beginnings to the dazzling modern shopping malls of the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront. Return to the hotel for overnight.Accommodation:Pepper Club Luxury Hotel and Spa

Day 3 Cape Town

This morning you will be collected for your scheduled full day Cape Point & Peninsula Tour – and awe-inspiring tour passing magnificent beaches, breath-taking views and historic & picturesque coastal villages to the towering headland known as Cape Point. The tour ends upon return to your hotel during the late afternoon. Accommodation:Pepper Club Luxury Hotel and SpaIncluded Meals: B

Day 4 Cape Winelands

Today you embark on a scheduled full day Cape Winelands Tour. This is a delightful drive, which winds its way to the heart of the Cape Winelands through superb mountain ranges, vineyards and Cape Dutch homesteads. Return to Cape Town during the late afternoon. Accommodation:Pepper Club Luxury Hotel and SpaIncluded Meals: B

Day 5 Oudtshoorn

Depart Cape Town and travel along Route 62 to Barrydale for lunch (not included in cost). Continue to Oudtshoorn – the ‘feather capital’ of the world. Visit a working ostrich farm for a guided tour. Check into your accommodation in the late afternoon before enjoying dinner. Accommodation:De Opstal Country LodgeIncluded Meals: BD

Day 6 Knysna

Enjoy a morning tour of the Cango Caves – one of the natural wonders of the world. Continue to the lagoon side town of Knysna – the gem of the Garden Route. Enjoy some time at leisure at the Knysna Waterfront before proceeding to The Crags near Plettenberg Bay. Embark on an informative cruise up the Keurbooms River before arriving at your lodge where you shall spend the following two nights. Freshen up before dinner at the lodge. Accommodation:Hog Hollow Country LodgeIncluded Meals: BD

Day 7 Knysna

After breakfast, get up-close-and-personal with nature at the Elephant Sanctuary. The visit presents you with the opportunity to touch, feed and photograph these gentle giants. After lunch (to own account), visit Birds of Eden – the largest free-flight bird aviary in the world. Optional: Whale & Dolphin boat experience (weather & time permitting; not included) before returning to the lodge.Accommodation:Hog Hollow Country LodgeIncluded Meals: BD

Day 8 Garden Route

After breakfast and check-out formalities, journey along the final leg of the Garden Route to the beautiful Tsitsikamma National Park. Enjoy a walk along the suspension bridge across the Storms River mouth gorge which offers visitors incredible views and photo opportunities. Arrive in Port Elizabeth at approximately 18h00 with drop-off the hotel. Accommodation:Radisson Blu Port ElizabethIncluded Meals: B

Day 9 Durban

Transfer to Port Elizabeth Airport for your flight to Durban (flight not included).
On arrival at King Shaka International Airport, you will be transferred to your hotel which is located on the Golden Mile – Durban’s distinctive beach front. Afternoon collection from your hotel for a city tour of Durban, where east meets west; a city beneath which beats the pulse of Africa. On the tour you will discover the cultural and historical contrasts of the city. Return to the hotel in the late afternoon. Accommodation:Protea Hotel EdwardIncluded Meals: B

Day 10 St Lucia

This morning you depart Durban and travel up the Elephant Coast of KwaZulu Natal to St Lucia, located at the southern extremity of the iSimangaliso Wetland Park – a World Heritage Site. Here you embark on an estuarine boat trip which provides an opportunity to view crocodiles, hippo and numerous bird species, including the elusive African Kingfisher Eagle, in their natural habitat. In the afternoon you will transfer to the Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Game Reserve for an afternoon of game viewing.
The Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Game Reserve covers a combined area of 90 000ha and it was here that the white rhino was saved from extinction. Continue to the hotel for dinner on the terrace (weather permitting) or in the classically styled restaurant.Accommodation:Ghost Mountain InnIncluded Meals: BD

Day 11 St Lucia

Enjoy a morning at leisure to relax or embark on one of the optional morning activities on offer from the lodge. Later in the day, embark on a scenic drive up the Ubombo Mountains, offering views over Lake Jozini. The drive will be combined with a visit to a local and authentic Zulu homestead for a glimpse into Zulu life in today’s world. End the day with dinner at the hotel.Accommodation:Ghost Mountain InnIncluded Meals: BD

Day 12 Swaziland

Today you journey to the Royal Kingdom of Swaziland. This tiny mountainous kingdom is filled with bygone African traditions and culture and offers beautiful scenery and attractions such as game reserves and art & craft outlets to name a few. Travel via Big Bend and visit the Swazi Candle Factory where each candle is made and finished by hand using the age-old technique "millefiore". No two are the same and the range boasts an astonishing array of patterns, shapes and designs. After spending some time at the Mbabane craft markets arrive at your hotel located in the beautiful Ezulwini Valley. Accommodation:Royal Swazi SunIncluded Meals: B

Day 13 Swaziland

This morning the tour continues through Swaziland. En route you will stop at the Ngwenya Glass Works to see master craftsmen create beautiful sculptures and artwork from molten glass. At the Jeppe’s Reef border, enjoy a showcase of the traditional Swazi culture followed by lunch at the Matsamo Cultural Village. Continue the journey to your hotel for late afternoon arrival followed by dinner. Accommodation:Perry’s Bridge HollowIncluded Meals: BLD

Day 14 Kruger National Park

Early this morning you will depart on an open vehicle safari through the Kruger National Park. The world-renowned Kruger National Park offers a wildlife experience that ranks with the best in Africa. At nearly 2 million hectares, the reserve is the flagship of South African National Parks and is home to an impressive number of flora and fauna. Return to your hotel in the afternoon and spend the remainder of the day at leisure. You will have the option to return to the Kruger National Park to absorb the tranquil beauty of an evening safari (additional charge). Accommodation:Perry’s Bridge HollowIncluded Meals: BD

Day 15 Johannesburg

Continue to Johannesburg via the magnificent Panorama Route. The most spectacular stretch of the Panorama Route is the Blyde River Canyon. From many well-positioned vantage points one has a view of the 33 km long gorge, which starts at "Bourke's Luck Potholes" and ends at the "Three Rondavels". Time and weather permitting, we also stop at God’s Window. The tour ends at approximately 18h00 upon arrival at O.R. Tambo International Airport.Included Meals: B